U.S. patent number 9,560,118 [Application Number 14/085,227] was granted by the patent office on 2017-01-31 for method and system for providing content remotely via one or more ip multimedia residential gateways.
This patent grant is currently assigned to BROADCOM CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is Broadcom Corporation. Invention is credited to Xuemin Chen, Gordon Yong Li.
United States Patent |
9,560,118 |
Li , et al. |
January 31, 2017 |
Method and system for providing content remotely via one or more IP
multimedia residential gateways
Abstract
An IP multimedia gateway (IMG) receives content sharing service
profiles generated by a service manager for communication devices
that are coupled to the IMG. Content and/or content information
that is received for communication to a first device, is
communicated to other devices in response to a request. Content
sharing profiles comprise permissions, group members, user
preferences, device capabilities and security profiles. Content
streams communicated to the first device may be shared with a
second device based on the profiles. The second device may share
additional streams with the first device. The first device or other
devices may communicate the request. The content may be received
from a service manager network device. The IMG and a communication
device that may display the content may be integrated in a
set-top-box or digital TV. Login access is enabled to devices for
requesting content. Cooperation with other IMGs may enable
discovery and/or content communication.
Inventors: |
Li; Gordon Yong (San Diego,
CA), Chen; Xuemin (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Broadcom Corporation |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
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Assignee: |
BROADCOM CORPORATION (Irvine,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
45467766 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/085,227 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140082141 A1 |
Mar 20, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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12837089 |
Jul 15, 2010 |
8621035 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L
67/303 (20130101); H04L 67/306 (20130101); H04L
67/10 (20130101); H04L 65/103 (20130101); H04N
21/6125 (20130101); H04L 65/40 (20130101); H04N
21/8355 (20130101); H04L 67/30 (20130101); H04N
21/632 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
15/16 (20060101); H04L 29/08 (20060101); H04N
21/61 (20110101); H04L 29/06 (20060101); H04N
21/8355 (20110101); H04N 21/63 (20110101) |
Field of
Search: |
;709/217,218,219,230,231 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wang; Liangche A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foley & Lardner LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/837,089 entitled "Method and System for Providing Content
Remotely Via One or More IP Multimedia Residential Gateways," filed
on Jul. 15, 2010, which also makes reference to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/829,145, which was filed on Jul. 1, 2010;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/829,179, which was filed on
Jul. 1, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/829,212, which
was filed on Jul. 1, 2010; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/837,052, which was filed on Jul. 15, 2010.
Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for communication, the method comprising: receiving, by
an IP multimedia gateway from a service manager, content requested
by a first communication device; receiving, by the IP multimedia
gateway from the service manager, a content sharing service profile
for content sharing using the IP multimedia gateway, wherein the
content sharing service profile controls content sharing services
enabled for a second communication device; transmitting, by the IP
multimedia gateway, the requested content to the first
communication device; and transmitting, by the IP multimedia
gateway according to the content sharing service profile received
from the service manager, a copy of the content requested by the
first communication device to the second communication device.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the copy of the content
is transmitted responsive to permission being granted to the second
communication device from at least one of the first communication
device or the service manager.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising inviting, by
the IP multimedia gateway using the content sharing service profile
from the service manager, the second communication device to
consume the content before transmitting the copy of the requested
content to the second communication device.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the content sharing
service profile is determined by the service manager and provided
to the IP multimedia gateway, and comprises at least one of a
content sharing permission, a content sharing group or a device
capability.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving,
by the IP multimedia gateway from the service manager, the content
sharing service profile that comprises parameters for controlling
content sharing for at least the first communication device and the
second communication device.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the IP multimedia
gateway is integrated in a set-top-box, a digital television, or a
video device.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first communication
device comprises a video client device that is configured to
display the requested content.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second
communication device comprises a video client device that is
configured to display the copy of the requested content.
9. The method according to claim 1, comprising cooperating with one
or more other IP multimedia gateways for: discovery of the IP
multimedia gateway; discovery of the first communication device;
discovery of the second communication device; or transmission of
the content.
10. A system for communication, the system comprising: one or more
circuits for use in an IP multimedia gateway device, wherein the
one or more circuits are configured to: receive, from a service
manager, content requested by a first communication device;
receive, from the service manager, a content sharing service
profile for content sharing using the IP multimedia gateway device,
wherein the content sharing service profile controls content
sharing services enabled for a second communication device;
transmit the requested content to the first communication device;
and transmit, according to the content sharing service profile
received from the service manager, a copy of the content requested
by the first communication device to the second communication
device.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the copy of the
requested content is transmitted responsive to permission granted
to the second communication device from at least one of the first
communication device or the service manager.
12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the one or more
circuits are further configured to invite, using the content
sharing service profile from the service manager, the second
communication device to consume the content before transmitting the
copy of the requested content to the second communication
device.
13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the content sharing
service profile comprises at least one of a content sharing
permission, a content sharing group or a device capability.
14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the one or more
circuits are further operable to receive the content sharing
service profile from the service manager.
15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the IP multimedia
gateway is integrated in a set-top-box, a digital television, or a
video device.
16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first
communication device comprises a video client device that is
configured to display the requested content.
17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second
communication device comprises a video client device that is
configured to display the requested content.
18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the one or more
circuits are configured to cooperate with one or more other IP
multimedia gateways for: discovery of the IP multimedia gateway;
discovery of the first communication device; discovery of the
second communication device; or transmission of the content.
19. A non-transitory machine-readable storage, having stored
thereon a computer program having at least one code section for
communication, the at least one code section executable by a
machine for causing the machine to perform: receiving, by an IP
multimedia gateway from a service manager, content requested by a
first communication device; receiving, by the IP multimedia gateway
from the service manager, a content sharing service profile for
content sharing using the IP multimedia gateway, wherein the
content sharing service profile controls content sharing services
enabled for a second communication device; transmitting, by the IP
multimedia gateway, the requested content to the first
communication device; and transmitting, by the IP multimedia
gateway according to the content sharing service profile received
from the service manager, a copy of the content requested by the
first communication device to the second communication device.
20. The non-transitory machine-readable storage according to claim
19, further causing the machine to invite the second communication
device to consume the content before transmitting the copy of the
requested content to the second communication device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communication
systems. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention
relate to providing content remotely via one or more IP multimedia
residential gateways.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunication technologies have evolved from analog to digital
technologies, and continues to evolve from circuit switched to
packet switched, from connection oriented packet switching to
connectionless packet switching, and from narrow band application
to broadband applications. The accompanied evolution in
telecommunication technologies has significantly advanced
operators' capability to offer broadband, IP-based multimedia
services (IMS) ranging from entertainment and lifestyle
applications such as mobile TV and mobile payment to professional
services such as video conferencing and real-time data
exchange.
IMS defines a standard framework for the deployment of next
generation Web-based application services. IMS defines how these
services connect and communicate with the underlying
telecommunications network(s) and how they integrate with the
network provider's back-end systems. IMS combines voice and data in
one packet switched network such as, for example, the GPRS core
network and the LTE core network, to offer network controlled
multimedia services. Various Internet Protocols (IPs) such as the
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the User Datagram Protocol
(UDP), the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Real-Time
Transport Protocol (RTP) are widely utilized for delivery of
various forms of multimedia applications over IP networks. SIP is
an end-to-end application layer signaling protocol that is utilized
to setup, modify, and teardown multimedia sessions such as
audio/videoconferencing, interactive gaming, virtual reality, and
call forwarding over IP networks. UDP and TCP are transport layer
protocols that are used for data delivery over IP networks. TCP
guarantees data delivery and integrity, however, UDP does not
exclusively guarantee delivery of data. RTP is the Internet
protocol which transmits real-time data such as audio and video
data. RTP does not exclusively guarantee real-time delivery of
data, but it does provide mechanisms for the sending and receiving
applications to support streaming data.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention
as set forth in the remainder of the present application with
reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system and/or method for providing content remotely via one or
more IP multimedia residential gateways.
Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present
invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,
will be more fully understood from the following description and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system
comprising an IP multimedia residential gateway that is operable to
provide a content sharing service among local and remote
communication devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary IP multimedia
residential gateway that is operable to manage content sharing
among local and remote communication devices, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication device
that may be operable to request and receive IP multimedia gateway
content sharing services, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary IP multimedia
residential gateway content sharing system, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps that may be
performed by an IP multimedia residential gateway for providing
content sharing services, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Certain embodiments of the invention can be found in a method and
system for providing content remotely via one or more IP multimedia
residential gateways. In an IP multimedia gateway one or more
content sharing service profiles may be associated with one or more
communication devices which are communicatively coupled to the IP
multimedia gateway. The one or more content sharing service
profiles may be generated by one or more service manager network
devices. Content and/or information about the content, that is
received for communication to at least a first of the communication
devices, may be communicated, based on the received content sharing
service profiles, to one or more of the other communication devices
in response to a request from one or more of the communication
device. One or more received content streams may be communicated to
at least the first communication device based on the received
content sharing service profiles. The first communication device
may share the one or more received content streams with at least a
second device. The second device may share one or more additional
content streams with the first communication device. The content
that is received for communication to the first communication
device may be received from the one or more service manager network
devices. The one or more received content sharing service profiles
may comprise information about one or more of content sharing
permissions, content sharing group members, user preferences,
communication device capabilities and security profiles, for
example.
Each of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices
that are communicatively coupled to the IP multimedia gateway may
be local with respect to the IP multimedia gateway or may be remote
with respect to the IP multimedia gateway. The IP multimedia
gateway may be integrated in, for example, a set-top-box, a digital
television or a video device such as a video projector. In
addition, one or more of the plurality of communication devices may
be integrated within the set-top-box, the digital television or the
video device such as the video projector; and may be operable to
display the content. Login access may be enabled for one or more of
the communication devices for submission of the request and/or for
requesting information about content that one or more other of the
communication devices is operable to consume. Cooperation with one
or more other IP multimedia gateways may enable one or more of the
discovery of other IP multimedia gateways, the discovery of one or
more communication devices and the communication of the content
and/or of the information about the content, based on the received
content sharing service profiles. In this manner, an IP multimedia
gateway may provide content to a plurality of local and/or remote
communication devices.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system
comprising an IP multimedia residential gateway that is operable to
provide a content sharing service among local and remote
communication devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a communication
system 100 comprising a plurality of IP multimedia residential
gateways (IMRGs), of which IMRGs 112-114 are illustrated, broadband
IP networks 120 comprising a plurality of core networks of which
core networks 122-129 are shown, a plurality of communication
devices 132a.about.132e, 134a.about.134c, 136a.about.136e, and
138a.about.138c, which may be referred to collectively herein as
the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and 138, respectively, a
plurality of access networks 142-146, and IP-based application
servers 150, of which application servers 150a-150c are
displayed.
The communication devices 132a.about.132e may be referred to as
local devices with respect to the IMRG 112 and the communication
devices 134a.about.134c, 136a.about.136e, and 138a.about.138c may
be referred to as remote devices with respect to the IMRG 112.
Similarly, the communication devices 136a.about.136e may be
referred to as local devices with respect to the IMRG 114 and the
communication devices 132a.about.132e, 134a.about.134c, and
138a.about.138c may be referred to as remote devices with respect
to the IMRG 114. The communication devices 132, 134, 136 and 138
may be referred to as client devices with respect to the IMRGs 112
and/or 114.
In various embodiments of the invention, the IMRGs 112 and/or 114
may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that
may be operable to communicate content to the local and/or remote
communication devices. For example, content may be received and/or
stored in the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 prior to distribution to one or
more of the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138. The
content may be received by the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 from a service
manager network device, an Internet application server and/or a
recording and/or playback device. Notwithstanding, the invention is
not limited with regard to any specific source of content. A
service manager network device may be referred to as a service
manager.
The IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide content
sharing services to the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or
138. The IMRG content sharing services may enable a plurality of
the communication devices to receive concurrently and/or at various
delayed times, specified content via an IMRG. For example, IMRG
content sharing services may enable one or more local and/or remote
communication devices to receive content that is being consumed
and/or is selected by another communication device. Moreover, IMRG
content sharing services may enable one or more local and/or remote
communication devices to receive information about which content is
being consumed by and/or is selected by another communication
device. For example, a user may be presently viewing video content
such as a television program via an IMRG and the content may be
distributed to another communication device via the IMRG and/or one
or more other IMRGs. Alternatively, a communication device may be
programmed to select and/or to receive content such as television
content via an IMRG and a user may access the program from another
communication device via the IMRG and/or one or more other
IMRGs.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user of the
communication device 132d may request via the IMRG 112, content
and/or information about content that another local or remote
communication device is consuming. For example, the communication
device 132d may be operable to login to the IMRG 112 to see what
content other local and/or remote devices are consuming and may
request access to the content. Alternatively, a user of the
communication device 132d may invite one or more other
communication devices to consume the same content being consumed by
the communication device 132d via the IMRG 112. In this manner, a
plurality of communication devices may receive, for example, the
same television program concurrently or at a delayed time. The
IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may be operable to communicate a plurality of
programs to one communication device such that a user may
concurrently view their own choices of media in addition to media
selected by a user of another communication device. For example, a
display may be partitioned into a plurality of areas for
concurrently viewing different streams of content. Audio for one of
the areas may be selected by a user.
In various embodiments of the invention, a service manager may
manage, control and/or may perform the content sharing services.
The service manager may comprise one or more of the core networks
122-129, one or more of the IP-based application servers 150. The
IMRG 112 and/or the IMRG 114 may perform content sharing services
directed to the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138,
under control and/or restrictions imposed by the service manager.
The service manager may be operable to communicate content and/or
may enable content sharing services for the communication devices
132, 134, 136 and/or 138 via the IMRGs 112 and/or 114.
The IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may be operable to receive content and/or
control information from a service manager for distribution of the
content to one or more of the plurality of the communication
devices 132,134, 136 and/or 138. One or more of the plurality of
communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 may be configured as
a subscriber to the service manager. The service manager may
configure and/or provision the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 utilizing one
or more content sharing parameters. For example, the IMRGs may be
configured with content sharing service permissions and/or
subscriber and/or communication device content sharing profiles for
enabling and/or controlling secure content sharing services among
specified communication devices and/or among members of a group of
communication devices. A communication device or subscriber profile
may comprise information such as, for example, types of services
and/or content that may be available to communication devices
and/or may comprise access permissions for one or more
communication devices.
A communication device and/or a subscriber profile may comprise
information and/or configuration parameters associated with a
specified communication device. The communication device and/or
subscriber profiles may be utilized to enable content sharing
services. For example, a profile for a specified communication
device or a specified subscriber, may comprise parameters for user
preferences, user permissions and/or a user service agreement
profile that may be based on a service manager service agreement,
for example. In this regard, a service agreement may indicate
different classes of service to which a communication device or a
user may subscribe. The service agreement and/or the classes of
service may enable communication and/or sharing of content at
appropriate data rates and/or at an appropriate quality of service
for the specified subscriber and/or the communication device.
Shared content may comprise, for example, streaming video and
music, conversational voice, interactive gaming and/or 3D video.
The communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 may also be
configured for enabling and/or disabling secure content sharing.
The IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may be operable to communicate information
regarding the communication devices to the service manager. A
service manager may be referred to as carrier or network operator
equipment, for example.
An IMRG such as the IMRG 112 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to connect the
communication devices 132a-132e to the broadband IP networks 120
for services of interest. A service may be described or represented
by the service type and the service class. The type of a service
refers to the type of information to be transferred, such as data,
voice, text or radio for the service. A service with a given
service type may be classified into a plurality of exemplary
scheduling service classes, namely, data services for Internet
access and messaging, conversational services for carrier-grade
voice and/or video calls and conferences, video services for TV,
video and music streaming, gaming services for users to interact
with one another via a central server, and corporate VPN services
for access to enterprise intranet/email. In addition, a service
class for IMRG content sharing may be provided that may enable
users to share television programs, video, music, voice, gaming
and/or other content via an IMRG. The IMRG may provide content
sharing services to local and/or remote communication devices where
users may, for example, share content and/or may see which content
other communication devices are consuming.
Specific requirements may be placed on access networks and core
networks for each service type and/or class to ensure desired
end-to-end QoS. The service requirements on access networks and
core networks may comprise, for example, system timing, CODEC,
transmission rates, power-saving mechanisms, security profiles and
content types. The system timing may be utilized to synchronize
communications for delivery of service. The CODEC may comprise
G.711, G.729, G.723, MPEG-4, VC-1, and VP6, for example. The
power-saving mechanisms may comprise various power levels, which
may be utilized within certain time intervals, for service
transmissions. The security profiles may comprise service security
descriptions such as, for example, security configurations and
policies. The security configuration of a service, for example,
IMRG content sharing, may comprise protocols, credentials, and
actions such as authentication actions. The content type of a
service may specify what type of content that the service may
comprise. The content type for a service may comprise, for example,
Multipart Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) files, HTML pages, H.262,
H.263, H.264/AVC video, G.711 voice, BV16, BV32 and DOCSIS Set-top
Gateway (DSG) multimedia.
In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may
be operable to integrate local communication devices as well as
remote communication devices to the broadband IP networks 120.
Communication devices such as the communication devices 132a-132e
that may access the IMRG 112 via device-dependent interfaces are
referred to as local communication devices for the IMRG 112. A
device-dependent interface may generally represent the PHY and MAC
functionality of a particular access technology such as, for
example, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cordless, and/or Femtocell.
Communication devices such as the communication devices 132a-132e
that may access the IMRG 112 via device-independent interfaces such
as the broadband IP networks 120 are referred to as remote
communication devices for the IMRG 112.
In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, for example,
when communication devices are operable to share content with other
local and/or remote communication devices, the IMRG 112 may be
operable to perform automatic device and network discovery. In this
regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to utilize proprietary methods
and/or well-known networking protocols such as uPnP and DHCP, or a
combination of both to perform search, in the background or
transparently, for attached communication devices and broadband IP
networks. For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to multicast a
discovery message. The IMRG 112 may discover or identify attached
devices and/or networks from responses received to the discovery
message. In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to retrieve
or determine, from the received responses, communication device
capabilities for the discovered devices, and/or network
capabilities for the discovered networks. The communication device
capabilities may comprise interface types, processing protocols,
service types, service classes, service requirements and/or IMRG
content sharing capabilities. The interface types for the
identified device may comprise access interface types such as CDMA
for GNSS, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCa), WiFi, Ethernet,
Femtocell, and/or cordless. The processing protocols may comprise
service layer protocols, IP layer protocols and link layer
protocols, as specified, for example, in the Open Systems
Interconnect (OSI) model. The service layer protocols may comprise
secure protocols such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and control
protocols such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). The IP layer
protocols may comprise IP signaling protocols such as SIP and
H.323, and IP media transport protocols such as TCP, RTP, UDP, RTC,
and RTCP. The link layer protocols may comprise technology-specific
PHY and MAC layer protocols such as, for example, MoCA, WiFi,
Ethernet, Femtocell, and/or cordless. With regard to IMRG content
sharing capabilities, the communication devices may comprise
content sharing resources and/or resource availability, content
sharing permissions and/or restrictions and/or content sharing
group information. The network capabilities may comprise interface
types, processing protocols, service types, service classes and
service requirements on network side. The interface types for the
identified networks may comprise technology specific broadband IP
connections such as DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX. The protocols
may comprise service layer protocols such as SSL and STP,
technology-independent IP layer protocols such as SIP, TCP, and
technology-dependent IP layer protocols such as Base Station System
GPRS Protocol (BSSGP).
In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may
be operable to register discovered or identified communication
devices and networks into a local database 112a. In this regard,
the registered communication devices may comprise local
communication devices such as the communication devices 132a-132e
as well as remote communication devices such as the communication
devices 134, 136 and/or 138. Information such as communication
device capabilities and network capabilities may be stored in the
local database 112a to support various applications or features.
For example, the stored communication device capabilities may be
utilized to implement the IMRG content sharing feature. In this
regard, the IMRG 112 may be configured by a service manager and/or
by a user, for example, with various permissions for sharing
content among communication devices. Communication devices may be
associated in groups that may be given permissions to share content
among group members. Permissions may vary among various groups
and/or various group members with regard to which content may be
shared and/or reported.
In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the IMRG 112 may
be operable to access local communication devices utilizing
device-dependent interfaces. In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be
operable to support link layer protocols for specific PHY and MAC
functionality of a particular access technology. For example, in
instanced where the IMRG 112 is signaled to access a Bluetooth
enabled communication device such as the communication device 132b,
the IMRG 112 may be operable to communicate information with the
communication device 132b utilizing Bluetooth air interface
protocols.
The IMRG 112 may be operable to provide one or more common IP
protocol-based interfaces towards communication devices. In this
regard, the IMRG 112 may be comprise a common IP layer
communication device interface to enable communication utilizing a
wide range of communication devices to, for example, a single
common IP transport protocol and a single common IP signaling
protocol. For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to convert or
configure different IP transport protocols utilized by the
communication devices 132a-132e into the single IP common transport
protocol such as RTP. Different IP signaling protocols running on
the communication devices 132a-132e may be converted into the
single common IP signaling protocol such as SIP.
The IMRG 112 may be operable to route and distribute information
such as media, signaling and event packets among communication
devices registered to the IMRG 112. In this regard, the IMRG 112
may be operable to track registration status for communication
devices dynamically registered as local clients or remote clients
(during roaming). The IMRG 112 may be configured to monitor and/or
discover communication device capabilities and network capabilities
to dynamically configure registered communication device based on
communication device capabilities and network capabilities.
The IMRG 112 may be operable to control or manage system timing and
power-saving mechanisms for registered communication devices. For
example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to adjust system timing based
on corresponding service requirements for service deployment
provided by different broadband IP networks over corresponding
communication devices. For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to
manage power consumption on communication devices based on
corresponding communication device capabilities and network
capabilities to receive content of services offered by one or more
service managers through different broadband IP networks.
The IMRG 112 may be operable to support various broadband
connections such as, for example, DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX.
In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be operable to communicate with
different broadband IP networks utilizing technology-dependent
access for network access.
The IMRG 112 may be operable to dynamically configure one or more
network interfaces within the IMRG 112 towards the broadband IP
networks 120 for communicating with corresponding broadband IP
networks. In this regard, the IMRG 112 may be configured to enable
communication with different types of core networks by protocol
mapping. For example, the IMRG 112 may be operable to convert a
common IP media transport protocol such as RTP and a common IP
signaling protocol such as SIP to different media transport and
signaling protocols utilized by corresponding broadband IP
networks.
The IMRG 112 may be operable to control or manage system timing and
power-saving mechanisms for registered networks. For example, the
IMRG 112 may be operable to adjust system timing based on
corresponding service requirements for services provided by
different broadband IP networks. For example, the IMRG 112 may be
operable to control its own power levels and/or power consumption
based on corresponding network capabilities to receive services
from different broadband IP networks.
Although IP multimedia residential gateways (IMRGs) are illustrated
in FIG. 1 for connecting communication devices through a
common-protocol-based interface to broadband IP networks via a
configurable interface, the invention is not so limited.
Accordingly, other IP multimedia gateways for connecting
communication devices through a common-protocol-based interface to
broadband IP networks via a configurable interface may be supported
without departing from the spirit and scope of various embodiments
of the invention. The IP multimedia gateways may be located in a
residential location and/or non-residential locations comprising,
for example, a commercial building, an office, an office complex,
an apartment building and/or a factory.
A communication device such as the communication device 132a may
comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are
operable to receive services from different broadband IP networks
through the IMRG 112. In various exemplary embodiments of the
invention, the communication device 132a may be operable to utilize
an access technology specific interface such as Bluetooth, LTE,
WiFi and/or Ethernet to communicate with the IMRG 112 for services
offered by different broadband IP networks. The communication
device 132a may also be operable to communicate or exchange
information with other communication devices registered to the IMRG
112. In this regard, the communication device 132a may share
information, for example, multimedia content with local
communication devices such as communication devices 132b-132e as
well as remote communication devices such as the communication
devices 134a-134c. The communication device 132a may be dynamically
configured to receive services such from the broadband IP networks
120 as well as networked communication devices such as the
communication device 132e.
An access network such as the access network 142 may comprise
suitable logic, circuitry, communication devices, interfaces and/or
code that are operable to communicate services utilizing various
access technologies such as, for example, IP LAN, Bluetooth, WiFi,
Femtocell, LTE and WiMAX.
An IP-based application server 150 such as the IP-based application
server 150a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces
and/or code that are operable to provide IP-based services to
various broadband IP networks 120. In this regard, the IP-based
application server 150a may be configured to deliver carrier-grade
as well as non-carrier-grade broadband access services to users
through the broadband IP networks 120. The IP-based application
server 150a may be operable to schedule delivery of carrier-grade
services to ensure service integrity. No-carrier-grade services may
be delivered when needed without reliability and stability
ensured.
In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the
IP-based application servers 150 may comprise service manager
network equipment that may be operable to provide content, such as,
television programming, video, music, voice and/or gaming content
to the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 for distribution to the communication
devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138. For example, one or more of the
IP-based application servers 150 may comprise service manager
network equipment. Furthermore, one or more of the IP-based
application servers 150 may function as a service manager
"head-end," which may provide multimedia services to the IMRGs 112
and/or 114 and/or to the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or
138. The multimedia services may comprise streaming and/or
downloading of content such as television programming, film,
gaming, video, and/or audio content for use in communication
devices. The multimedia services may be delivered to communication
devices via IMRGs such as the IMRGs 112 and/or 114. For example,
the content may be delivered to the IMRG 112 via one or more of the
broadband IP networks 120 and/or via other IMRGs such as the IMRG
114. The IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may be operable to distribute the
shared content to one or more local communication devices and/or to
one or more remote communication devices via the broadband IP
networks 120 and/or via one or more other IMRGs. The service
manager may be operable to control which communication devices 132,
134, 136 and/or 138 may have permission to receive the shared
content. In addition, the service manager may be operable to bill
communication device users and/or other entities, for access to the
shared content and/or for access to information about the shared
content. In various embodiments of the invention, an IMRG such as
the IMRG 112 may receive content from an IP based application
server 150 and may forward the content to another IMRG such as the
IMRG 114 for distribution to one or more communication devices that
are local to the IMRG 114, such as the communication device
136b.
The communication devices 132, 134, 136 and 138 may comprise
suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be
operable to receive and/or display content communicated from IMRGs
such as the IMRGs 112 and/or 114. The communication devices 132,
134, 136 and/or 138 may be operable to access and/or interact with
local and/or remote IMRGs such as the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 to
select content and/or to utilize IMRG content sharing services. In
this regard, a first communication device may be operable to access
a local or remote IMRG and may request content that may be
currently consumed and/or selected by a second communication
device. For example, the communication device 134c may request
content from the IMRG 112, which is being consumed by the
communication device 132b via the IMRG 112. In instances when
permission is granted to the communication device 134c for sharing
the content, the IMRG 112 may stream the content to the
communication device 134c via the broadband networks 120.
Alternatively, a first communication device may be operable to
invite a second local or remote communication device to "share" or
receive content that is consumed and/or selected by the first
communication device. The content may be delivered to the first and
second device via an IMRG that is serving content to the first
communication device. The communication devices 132, 134, 136
and/or 138 may be operable to access local and/or remote IMRGs 112
and/or 114 via the broadband IP networks 120. For example, the
communication device 136c, which may comprise a video client, may
select and/or may be currently consuming a television program. The
communication device 136c may invite the communication device 132e
which may also comprise video capabilities, to share or receive the
same content. In instances when the communication device 132e may
be configured with permission to share content being consumed or
selected by the communication device 136c, the IMRG 114 may
communicate the content to the communication device 132e via the
broadband IP networks 120 and/or via the IMRG 112. The IMRG 114 may
concurrently communicate the content to the communication device
136c. Furthermore, a plurality of communication devices may request
content and/or may be invited to share content from another
communication device. The communication devices 132, 134, 136
and/or 138 may be operable to display a plurality of video streams
concurrently and/or may enable users to select audio from one of
the plurality of video streams.
In an exemplary operation, an IMRG such as the IMRG 112 may
comprise a stand-alone device or may be embedded and/or integrated
within another device. For example, an IMRG may be integrated
within a set-top-box and/or a digital television and may be coupled
to a video communication device. Furthermore, an IMRG may be
installed in any suitable location such as residence or enterprise
environment. For example, an IMRG may be located at a residential
property where one or more users, such as a family may be served by
the IMRG. Alternatively, an IMRG may be installed in a location
where a plurality of residences or a community of users may be able
to access the IMRG with communication devices that may operate as
local communication devices with respect to the IMRG.
An IMRG such as the IMRG 112 may be operable to communicatively
couple a plurality of communication devices to the broadband IP
networks 120. Communication devices discovered by the IMRG 112 may
be registered together with corresponding communication device
capabilities into the local database 112a to support applications
such as content sharing services. The IMRG 112 may serve local
communication devices such as the communication devices 132a-132e
as well as remote communication devices such as the communication
devices 134a-134c. Local communication devices may communicate with
an associated IMRG over device-dependent interfaces such as IP LAN,
Bluetooth, WiFi, Femtocell, LTE and WiMAX. Remote communication
devices may exchange or communicate information with an associated
IMRG over device-independent interfaces such as, for example, the
broadband IP networks 120. A communication device such as the
communication device 132a may initially register as a local
communication device and become a remote communication device to
the IMRG 112 when the communication device 132a roams outside of a
local coverage area served by the IMRG 112. Similarly, a
communication device such as the communication device 134a may
initially register on the IMRG 112 as a remote communication
device. In instances where the communication device 134a moves into
the local coverage area of the IMRG 112, the remote communication
device may be registered as a local communication device.
In an exemplary operation, IMRGs such as the IMRG 112 and/or IMRG
114 may be configured by a service manager for providing secure
content sharing services to one or more communication devices such
as the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138. In addition,
the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may receive content and/or control
information from the service manager to enable the secure content
sharing services by the IMRGs. IMRG content sharing services may
comprise routing content that is being consumed and/or selected by
one communication device to one or more other local and/or remote
communication devices. Moreover, information about content being
consumed by a communication device may be routed to other
communication devices. For example, a user may be viewing a
television program on the communication device 136c via the IMRG
114. The IMRG 114 may be operable to communicate the same
television program and/or information about the program to other
communication devices comprising 132b, 134c and 136e, for example.
Communication devices such as the communication devices 132, 134,
136 and/or 138 may be configured with permission parameters to
receive content sharing services from the IMRGs 112 and/or 114.
The IMRGs 112 and/or 114 and/or the communication devices 132, 134,
136 and/or 139 may be configured with parameters such as
permissions and profiles for content sharing services. The IMRGs
112 and/or 114 may be operable to discover IMRGs and/or local
and/or remote communication devices that may be operable to receive
IMRG content sharing services. In various embodiments of the
invention, the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 may be operable to coordinate
content sharing services among IMRGs and/or with service managers.
Communication device profiles and/or user profiles may be utilized
by the IMRGs 112 and/or 114 to determine which content sharing
services, permissions, preferences, communication device
capabilities and/or resources may apply to a communication device
for content sharing. The information in the communication device
profiles may be determined and/or configured by one or more of a
service manager, a user, an IMRG and/or a communication device. In
an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a plurality of
communication devices may comprise a content sharing service group.
In this regard, communication devices within a group may be
operable to request content and/or information about content that
another communication device within the group may be currently
consuming or may have selected for consumption. Various groups
and/or group members may have different levels of content sharing
permissions. For example, a user and/or a service manager may
specify which content may be shared with which communication
devices. Also, a user and/or a service manager may specify whether
content being consumed and/or selected by a first communication
device may be delivered to one or more other communication devices
and/or whether information such as text about the content may be
delivered to the one or more other communication devices.
Furthermore, communication devices may be operable to make content
which they consume, openly available to any other suitable
communication devices. In this regard, content sharing may not be
restricted and may be available for access without specific
permissions.
In various embodiments of the invention, communication devices such
as one or more of the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or
138 may be operable to request access to content being consumed by
and/or selected by another communication device. Alternatively, one
or more of the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 may
be invited to receive content being consumed by and/or selected by
other communication devices. The communication devices may be
operable to display a plurality of content streams concurrently.
For example, a user may view a personally selected video image on
the communication device 136c in one portion of a video display and
may select to additionally view a video image from the
communication device 132c in a second portion of the video display
and a third video image from the communication device 134c in a
third portion of video display.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary IP multimedia
residential gateway that is operable to manage content sharing
among local and remote communication devices, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an
IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) 200 comprising a
multi-standard modem 202, a broadband modem 204, an IMRG processor
206, an IMRG database storage 208 and a memory 210.
The IMRG 200 may be similar and/or substantially the same as the
IMRG 112 and/or the IMRG 114. Furthermore, the IMRG 200 may be a
stand alone device or may be integrated within another device, for
example, within a set-top-box, a digital television and/or a video
device such as a video projector that may comprise a video display
client of the IMRG 200.
The multi-standard modem 202 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to communicate
with a plurality of communication devices such as the communication
devices 132a-132e and 134a-134c utilizing a device-dependent
interface such as, for example, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
cordless, and/or Femtocell.
The broadband modem 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that are operable to transmit voice and/or
data in adherence with one or more internet protocol (IP) broadband
standards. The broadband modem 204 may be operable to transmit
and/or receive voice and/or data to and/or from the broadband IP
networks 120 over broadband connections such as, for example, T1/E1
line, DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX. The broadband modem 204 may
dynamically configure one or more network interfaces utilized
within the broadband modem 204 for communication with the broadband
IP networks 120. For example, in instances where the broadband
modem 204 is signaled to exchange information with the VoIP
softswitch network 126, the broadband modem 204 may be configured
to utilize FTTx as an access solution to the VoIP softswitch
network 126.
The IMRG processor 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that are operable to perform a variety of
signal processing tasks to maintain or manage communication between
associated communication devices such as the communication devices
132a-132e and 134a-134c and the broadband IP networks 120, and/or
among the associated communication devices. The IMRG processor 206
may comprise a communication device interface 206a, a communication
device adaptation unit 206b, an internal routing and control unit
206c, a remote access unit 206d, a core-network adaptation unit
206e and a core-network interface 206f.
The communication device interface 206a may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to
perform protocol conversion for communication device access. The
communication device interface 206a may comprise a device-dependent
interface 226 and a common IP interface 216. The device-dependent
interface 226 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces
and/or code that are operable to access local communication devices
over device-dependent connections such as WiFi and LTE connections.
The device-dependent interface 226 may be operable to support link
layer protocols for specific PHY and MAC functionality of a
particular access technology. For example, in instances where the
communication device interface 206a is signaled to access a WiFi
enabled communication device such as the communication device 132c,
the communication device interface 206a may exchange information
with the communication device 132c utilizing WiFi air interface
protocols for corresponding link layer communication. The
device-dependent interface 226 may support different IP transport
and/or signaling components utilized by communication devices. The
common IP interface 216 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide a common IP
support to communicate content between various communication
devices and the broadband IP networks 120. The common IP interface
216 may comprise a transport unit 216a and a signaling unit 216b.
The transport unit 216a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide a single IP
transport component such as RTP to support data communication over
IP. The signaling unit 216b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide a single IP
signaling component such as SIP to support signaling communication
over IP. The communication device interface 206a may perform
protocol mapping or translation between different IP transport
and/or signaling components utilized by communication devices and
the common IP-based interface 216 running on the IMRG processor
206.
The communication device adaptation unit 206b may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to adapt
a wide range of communication devices. In this regard, the
communication device adaptation unit 206b may be operable to
perform, for example, media or content transcoding, rate
conversion, system timing adjustment and/or power control based on
corresponding communication device capabilities to improve user
experiences.
The internal routing and control unit 206c may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to route
and distribute content for use in content sharing services,
signaling and event packets among communication devices registered
to the IMRG 112, for example. In this regard, the internal routing
and control unit 206c may be operable to keep track of registration
status for associated communication devices. In instances where a
communication device such as the communication device 132a is
within a local area served by the IMRG 112, the internal routing
and control unit 206c may be operable to register the communication
device 132a in the IMRG database storage 208 as a local
communication device of the IMRG 112. In instances where a local
communication device such as the communication device 134a roams
outside of the local coverage area, the internal routing and
control unit 206c may register the communication device 134a in the
IMRG database storage 208 as a remote communication device for the
IMRG 112. The internal routing and control unit 206c may collect
and/or track communication device capabilities for associated
communication devices and network capabilities to build the IMRG
database storage 208. The internal routing and control unit 206c
may be operable to dynamically configure associated communication
devices based on collected system capability information. In
addition, the internal routing and control unit 206c may be
operable to coordinate or control system timing adjustment and
power control management for delivery of service.
The routing and control unit 206c may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to collect
information that may be utilized for content sharing services and
may store the information in the IMRG database storage 208. For
example, communication device and/or user profiles that may
comprise content sharing permissions, communication device
capabilities, user preferences and/or content sharing communication
device groups may be stored in the IMRG database storage 208. In
addition, multimedia content and/or control information may be
stored in the IMRG database storage 208 and/or may be associated
with the communication devices and/or users. The collected
information may be retrieved from a service manager or "head-end",
from communication devices and/or from other IMRGs, for
example.
The remote access unit 206d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide necessary
functionality for the support of remote access by communication
devices that are roaming outside of a local coverage of the IMRG
112. In this regard, the remote access unit 206d may be operable to
exchange information with remote communication devices over
broadband connections to the broadband IP networks 120. Content may
be distributed from the IMRG 200 to remote communication devices
via one or more of the broadband IP networks 120, the IMRGs 112
and/or 114 and/or the access networks 142, 144 and/or 146.
Moreover, the remote access unit 206d may handle requests for
sharing content with remote communication devices.
The core-network adaptation unit 206e may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide
adaptation to different broadband IP networks for various
communication devices. In this regard, the core-network adaptation
unit 206e may perform, for example, protocol translation and
mapping between a common IP protocol utilized by the IMRG 200 and
protocols used by different broadband IP networks.
The core-network interface 206f may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to provide
various broadband connections such as, for example, DSL, Cable,
FTTx, PLC and WiMAX for access to the broadband IP networks
120.
The IMRG database storage 208 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces and/or code that are operable to store and
manage communication device information and network information. In
this regard, the IMRG database storage 208 may comprise
registration status information for associated communication
devices. The registration status for a communication device
pertaining to the IMRG 200 may be a local communication device or a
remote communication device. The IMRG database storage 208 may be
operable to keep track of or collect communication device and
network capabilities. The collected capability information may be
utilized to dynamically configure communication devices pertaining
to the IMRG 200. In addition, the IMRG database storage 208 may be
operable to store local and/or remote communication device
information, content information, content sharing configuration
parameters and/or data that may enable the IMRG 200 to communicate
shared content to local and/or remote communication devices. For
example, content information may identify content, may comprise
security information for secure content sharing and/or may comprise
characteristics of the multimedia content that may be stored in the
IMRG database storage 208. Also, content sharing permissions for
communication devices and/or user preferences may be stored in the
IMRG database storage 208. Various information such as permissions,
user and/or communication device profiles and/or multimedia content
utilized in content sharing services may be received from a service
manager, for example, from service provider "head-end" equipment.
The information may be updated over time. The IMRG database storage
208 may comprise RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as
flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable
of storing data and instructions.
The memory 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces
and/or code that are operable to store and manage data and/or other
information utilized by the IMRG processor 206. For example, the
memory 210 may be utilized to store processed data or content
generated by the IMRG processor 206. The memory 210 may be enabled
to store executable instructions to process, for example, protocol
mapping and/or media transcoding. The memory 210 may comprise RAM,
ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or
other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and
instructions.
In an exemplary operation, a service manager may configure the IMRG
200 for providing content sharing services. The communication
devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 may allow subscribers to access
services such as content sharing, which may be offered by the
service manager. The IMRG 200 may be operable to communicate
information to the service manager regarding content sharing among
the communication devices. For example, usage and/or billing
information, communication device service requests, communication
device capabilities and/or communication device resource
availability may be communicated to the service manager. The
service manager may communicate multimedia content, content sharing
permissions, user preferences and/or communication device profiles,
for example, to the IMRG 200 such that the IMRG 200 may be operable
to provide content sharing services in accordance with the service
manager's policies.
The IMRG 200 may be operable to store communication device
information such as multimedia content, permissions, communication
device capabilities, content sharing groups and/or user
preferences, for different communication devices in the IMRG
database storage 208 for use in providing content sharing services.
The IMRG 200 may be operable to provide content sharing services to
local and/or remote communication devices. The IMRG 200 may receive
content for distribution and/or sharing from a service manager
"head-end" and/or from an IP based application server 150, for
example, via the common IP interface 216. In addition the IMRG 200
may receive content from a media recorder and/or playback device,
for example, for content sharing distribution. The IMRG 200 may be
operable to enable local and/or remote communication devices to
login to the IMRG 200 to request content and/or information about
content that other communication devices may consume.
The IMRG 200 may be operable to communicate with local
communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 utilizing the
device-dependent interface 226 and the multi-standard modem 202.
For example, the IMRG 200 may be operable to utilize the device
dependent interface 226 and/or the multi-standard modem 204 for
sending and/or receiving content sharing requests and/or for
distribution of content, to local communication devices.
The IMRG 200 may be operable to access the broadband IP networks
120, remote communication devices 132, 134, 136, 138 and/or the IP
based application servers 150 utilizing the common IP interface 216
and the broadband modem 204. For example, the IMRG 200 may receive
control information and/or content from a service manager and may
distribute the content to remote communication devices via the IP
interface 216 and the broadband modem 204. For example, the IMRG
200 may be operable to communicate via various broadband access
technologies such as DSL, Cable, FTTx, PLC and WiMAX supported by
the core-network interface 206f.
The internal routing and control unit 206c may be operable to
control communication of content to the local and/or remote
communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 in order to
distribute shared content. The internal routing and control unit
may utilize content sharing permissions, communication device
capabilities, user preferences and/or content sharing communication
device groups for controlling content sharing among the
communication devices.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication device
that may be operable to request and receive IP multimedia gateway
content sharing services, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the communication
device 132d that comprises a cellular radio 303, a wireless local
area network (WLAN) radio 305, a processing module 307, a memory
331, a display 319, a microphone 321, a camera 323, keys and
buttons 325, a speaker 327, a cellular antenna 333 and WLAN antenna
305.
The communication device 332 may be similar or substantially the
same as the communication device 132d described with respect to
FIG. 1, for example.
The cellular radio 303 may comprise suitable logic circuitry
interfaces and/or code that may enable transmission and reception
of RF cellular signals via the antenna 333. The cellular radio 303
is not limited to any specific type of wireless technology and may
utilize any suitable wireless technology, for example, GSM, CDMA,
WCDMA, OFDMA, LTE and WIMAX. In addition, the cellular radio 303
may be operable to exchange signals with the processing module 307
for baseband processing. The communication device 332 may be
operable to communicate with the IMRG 112, for example, via the
cellular radio 303 and/or one or more of the access networks 142.
The communication device 332 may be operable to communicate
requests for content sharing and/or may receive shared content from
an IMRG via the cellular radio 303, for example.
The WLAN radio 305 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry
interfaces and/or code that may be operable to perform transmission
and/or reception of RF signals for the communication of data
traffic via the antenna 335. In addition, the WLAN radio 305 may be
operable to exchange data with the processing module 307 for
baseband processing. Communication via the WLAN radio 305 may be
based on any suitable data communication standard such as, for
example, various IEEE 802.11 and/or Wi-Fi Alliance standards. The
communication device 332 may be operable to communicate with the
IMRG 112, for example, via the WLAN radio 305 and/or one or more of
the access network 142. The communication device 332 may be
operable to communicate requests for content sharing and/or may
receive shared content via the WLAN radio 305. The communication
device 332 may have additional radio and/or tethered communication
interfaces for communication with an IMRG and/or with other
communication devices.
The processing module 307 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that may be operable to process baseband
communication signals and may support services provided by one or
more IMRGs. For example, the processing module 307 may handle
content sharing services with the IMRG 112. The processing module
307 may submit requests to the IMRG 112 for receiving content that
may be consumed and/or selected by another communication device.
The processing module 307 may also submit requests to the IMRG 112
to invite another communication device to receive or share content
that is being consumed and/or is selected by the communication
devices 332. In various embodiments of the invention, the
communication device 332 may be protected by secure operations. In
this regard, the processing module 307 may comprise a security
processor to control secure communication and/or to protect secure
content between the communication device 332 and one or IMRGs
and/or one or more other communication devices.
The memory 331 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry interfaces
and/or code that may be operable to provide storage for
instructions and data for tasks performed by the communication
device 332. The memory 331 may comprise communication device and/or
user profiles that may be utilized to enable content sharing
services. The memory 331 may comprise ROM and/or flash memory, for
example.
The communication device 332 may comprise a plurality of human
interfaces that may be utilized for capturing communication
information and for interfacing with various features such as
content sharing. For example the communication device 332 may
comprise a display 319 and speaker 327 that produce images and/or
sound for cellular communication and/or for rendering multi-media,
for example. The display 319 may be operable to visually display
content that a user of the communication device 332 selects from a
service provider or the Internet, for example, as well as content
that may be shared from another communication device and received
via one or more IMRGs. The microphone 321 and camera 323 may be
utilized for voice calling and/or for capturing and storing
multi-media data, for example. The keys and/or buttons comprise a
keyboard and/or number entry for creating messages and/or
interfacing with communication device 332 features. In various
embodiments of the invention, other types of human interfaces may
be utilized. For example, touch screen, voice and/or pressure
sensors are utilized for inputting information.
In an exemplary operation, the communication device 332 may be
configured to receive content sharing services from an IMRG, such
as the IMRG 112. A user of the communication device 332 may select
content from a service manager. The service manager may deliver the
content to the IMRG 200 for distribution to the communication
device 332 and/or for distribution to other communication devices
during content sharing services. The IMRG 112 may receive the
content and may deliver the content to the communication device
332. A user may display the content on the display 319. A user may
request that the content be communicated to one or more other local
or remote communication devices, for example, to the communication
device 132a and/or to the communication device 136c. In instances
when the other communication devices have permission to receive the
content, the IMRG 112 may distribute the content to the other
communication devices.
In various embodiments of the invention, a user that may be
receiving content at the communication device 332 may invite one or
more other communication device to receive the content. In other
embodiments of the invention, a user of the communication device
332 may request to receive content that is being received by one or
more other communication devices. Also in various exemplary
embodiments of the invention, rather than distributing content to
other communication devices, an IMRG may communicate only
information about the content to the other devices.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary IP multimedia
residential gateway content sharing system, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a
set-top-box and/or digital television (STB/DTV) 462 which may
comprise an IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) 412, and a
video client device 472. Also there is shown an STB/DTV 464 which
may comprise an IMRG 414 and a video client device 474. The
broadband IP networks 120, the access networks 144 and the
communication devices 132d, 136d, 134c and 138d are also shown.
The IMRGs 412 and/or 414 may be similar and/or substantially the
same as the IMRGs 112, 114 and/or 200. The communication devices
132d, 136d, 134c and 138d are described with respect to FIG. 1.
The STB/DTV 462 and the STB/DTV 464 may each comprise a
set-top-box, digital television and/or a video device such as a
video projector, for example. The STB/DTV 462 may comprise the IMRG
412 and the video client device 472 which may be communicatively
coupled. The STB/DTV 464 may comprise the IMRG 414 and the video
client device 474 which may be communicatively coupled.
The IMRG 412 may be communicatively coupled to the communication
device 132d which may be a local device with respect to the IMRG
412. The communication device 132d may communicate with the IMRG
412 based on any suitable access technology, for example, WLAN,
WiFi and/or a tethered technology. The communication devices 134c,
138c, 136d and the video client device 474 may be remote devices
with respect to the IMRG 412. The IMRG 412 may be communicatively
coupled to the communication device 134c via the broadband IP
networks 120. The IMRG 412 may be communicatively coupled to the
communication device 138c via the broadband IP networks 120 and the
access networks 144. The communication device 136d may be
communicatively coupled to the IMRG 412 via the broadband IP
networks 120 and the IMRG 414, for example. The video client device
474 may be communicatively coupled to the IMRG 412 via the IMRG 414
and the broadband IP networks 120, for example. Similarly, the
communication device 136d may be a local device with respect to the
IMRG 414 and the communication devices 132d, 134c, 138c and the
video client device 474 may be remote devices with respect to the
IMRG 414.
The video client devices 472 and/or 474 may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to
receive video and/or services from one or more of a cable or
satellite service manager and/or a video recorder and/or playback
device, for example. Exemplary service manager services may
comprise video, music, voice, gaming and/or other products for
purchase, security services and/or video recording services. In
various embodiments of the invention, the video client devices 472
and/or 474 may be operable to process content such as 2D and/or 3D
video, audio and/or graphics data. The video client devices 472
and/or 474 may be operable to display multimedia on a display panel
and/or by a video projection device, for example. One or both of
the video client devices 472 and/or 474 may be operable to support
content sharing services. For example, a user may input commands
such as requests for content sharing services, utilizing the video
client devices 472 and/or 474. The video client devices 472 and/or
474 may be operable to display shared content, for example, a
plurality of content streams concurrently.
In an exemplary operation, the IMRGs 412 and/or 414 may be
configured for content sharing services by a service manger, for
example, a service manager that is described with respect to FIG.
1. The IMRG 412 and the IMRG 414 may discover each other. The IMRG
412 and/or the IMRG 414 may discover the communication devices
132d, 134c, 138c, 136d and/or the video client devices 472 and/or
474. The IMRG 412 and/or the IMRG 414 may receive from the service
manager, configuration parameters, for example, content sharing
permissions and/or user and/or communication device content sharing
profiles for the discovered communication devices.
Content comprising television programming, for example, may be
delivered from the service manager to the IMRG 412 for distribution
to the video client device 472. The content may be viewed by a user
from the video client device 472. The local communication device
132d may send a request to the IMRG 412 to receive the same
content. In instances when the local communication device 132d has
permission to receive the same content, the IMRG 412 may
communicate the same content to the local communication device
132d. Alternatively, a user of the video client device 472 may
invite the communication device 132d to receive the same content
via the IMRG 412. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
communication device 132d and the video client device 472 may be
located in the same building or neighborhood. For example, family
members or members of a community may view the same TV programming
received by the IMRG 412 concurrently and/or at delayed times
utilizing a plurality of communication devices.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more of
the remote communication devices 134c, 138c, 136d and/or the video
client device 474 may be operable to send a request to the IMRG 412
to receive the same content that was received for the video client
device 472. In instances when one or more of the remote
communication devices 134c, 138c, 136d and/or the video client
device 474 have permission to receive the same content; the IMRG
412 may enable the remote communication devices to login to the
IMRG to request information about content that is being consumed by
the video client device 472. Upon request, the IMRG 412 may
communicate the same content and/or information about the content
to the remote communication devices. Alternatively, a user of the
video client device 472 may invite or request via the IMRG 412 that
one or more of the remote communication devices 134c, 138c, 136d
and/or the video client device 474 may receive the same content. In
instances when one or more of the remote communication devices
134c, 138c, 136d and/or the video client device 474 have permission
to receive the same content as the video client device 472, the
IMRG 412 may distribute the same content to the remote
communication devices via the broadband IP networks 120. For
example, a user may view home programming remotely via the IMRG 412
and may share the programming among one or more remote and/or local
communication devices.
The IMRGs 412 and/or 414 may each be operable to communicate a
plurality of streams of the same content and/or a plurality of
streams of different content concurrently to each of one or more of
a plurality of local and/or remote communication devices such as
the communication device 132d, 134c, 138c and 136d and/or the video
client devices 472 and/or 474. In addition, the communication
device 132d, 134c, 138c and 136d and/or the video client devices
472 and/or 474 may be operable to receive and/or display a
plurality of streams of content concurrently, from one more IMRGs
such as the IMRGs 412 and 414.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps that may be
performed by an IP multimedia residential gateway for providing
content sharing services, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary steps may begin at
step 510. In step 512, a first IP multimedia gateway, for example,
the IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) 112, may discover
other IP multimedia gateways, for example, the IMRG 114 and may
discover local and/or remote communication devices, such as the
communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138. The local and/or
remote communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 may be
communicatively coupled to the first and/or other IP multimedia
gateways. In step 514, the IMRG 112, may determine content sharing
permissions and/or content sharing profiles for the local and/or
remote communication devices. For example, the IMRG 112 may receive
the content sharing permissions and/or profiles from a service
manager. In this regard, one or more devices in the IP based
application servers 150 and/or the broadband IP networks 120, for
example, may comprise the service manager. In step 516, the IP
multimedia gateway 112 may receive content from the service manager
and may provide secure content sharing services among the local
and/or remote communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138. The
exemplary steps may end in step 518.
In an embodiment of the invention, in an IP multimedia gateway, one
or more content sharing service profiles may be associated with one
or more communication devices, for example, the communication
devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 which may be communicatively
coupled to the IP multimedia gateway 112, for example. The one or
more content sharing service profiles may be generated by one or
more service manager network devices, for example, a device in the
IP based application servers 150. Content and/or information about
the content, that is received for communication to at least a first
of the communication devices, for example, the communication device
132d, may be communicated, based on the received content sharing
service profiles, to one or more of the other communication devices
138c, for example, in response to a request from one or more of the
communication device 132, 134, 136 and/or 138. One or more received
content streams may be communicated to at least the first
communication device 132d based on the received content sharing
service profiles. The first communication device 132d may share the
one or more received content streams with at least a second device,
138c, for example. The second device 138c may share one or more
additional content streams with the first communication device
132d. Each of the one or more of the plurality of communication
devices 132, 134, 136 and 138 that are communicatively coupled to
the IP multimedia gateway 112, for example, may be local with
respect to the to the IP multimedia gateway or may be remote with
respect to the IP multimedia gateway. The content that is received
for the communication to the first communication device, for
example, the communication device 132d, may be received from the
one or more service manager network devices. The one or more
received content sharing service profiles may comprise information
about one or more of content sharing permissions, content sharing
group members, user preferences, communication device capabilities
and security profiles, for example. The IP multimedia gateway 112
and/or 412 may be integrated in a set-top-box, a digital television
or a video device such as a video projector. In addition, one or
more of the plurality of communication devices may be integrated
within, for example, the set-top-box, the digital television or the
video device such as the video projector; and may be operable to
display the content. The request for content sharing may be
communicated by the first communication device, for example, the
communication device 132d and/or by one or more other of the
communication devices 132, 134, 136 and 138. Login access may be
enabled for one or more of the communication devices 132, 134, 136
and 138 for submission of the request and/or for requesting
information about content that one or more other of the
communication devices is operable to consume. Cooperation with one
or more other IP multimedia gateways, for example, the IMRG 114,
may enable one or more of the discovery of other IP multimedia
gateways, the discovery of one or more communication devices 132,
134, 136 and 138 and the communication of the content and/or of the
information about the content, based on the received content
sharing service profiles.
In another embodiment of the invention, an IP multimedia gateway,
for example, the IP multimedia residential gateway (IMRG) 112, may
discover one or more other IP multimedia gateways, for example, the
IMRG 114 and/or one or more communication devices such as the
communication devices 132, 134, 136 and/or 138 that are
communicatively coupled to the IMRG 112. One or more content
sharing service profiles may be received from one or more service
manager network devices. For example, the profiles may be received
from a network device within the IP based application severs 150 or
within the broadband IP networks 120. The received content sharing
service profiles may be generated by one or more of the service
manger network devices. Content and/or information about the
content may be communicated based on the received content sharing
service profiles. The content and/or the information about the
content that is received for communication to a first communication
device, for example, the communication device 132d, may be
communicated to one or more other communication devices, for
example, the communication devices 134c and/or 136c, in response to
a request from one or more of the communication device 132, 134,
136 and 138. Furthermore, based on the received content sharing
service profiles, a plurality of streams of content that is
received for communication to one or more communication devices may
be communicated to another communication device, for example, to
the communication device 132d, in response to one or more requests
from one or more of the communication device 132, 134, 136 and
138.
Each of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices
132, 134, 136 and 138 that are communicatively coupled to the IP
multimedia gateway 112, for example, may be local with respect to
the to the IP multimedia gateway or may be remote with respect to
the IP multimedia gateway. The content that is received for the
communication to the first communication device, for example, the
communication device 132d, may be received from the one or more
service manager network devices. The one or more received content
sharing service profiles may comprise information about one or more
of content sharing permissions, content sharing group members, user
preferences, communication device capabilities and security
profiles, for example. The IP multimedia gateway 112 and/or 412 may
be integrated in a set-top-box, a digital television or a video
device such as a video projector. In addition, one or more of the
plurality of communication devices may be integrated within, for
example, the set-top-box, the digital television or the video
device such as the video projector; and may be operable to display
the content. The request for content sharing may be communicated by
the first communication device, for example, the communication
device 132d and/or by one or more other of the communication
devices 132, 134, 136 and 138. Login access may be enabled for one
or more of the communication devices 132, 134, 136 and 138 for
submission of the request and/or for requesting information about
content that one or more other of the communication devices is
operable to consume. Cooperation with one or more other IP
multimedia gateways, for example, the IMRG 114, may enable one or
more of the discovery of other IP multimedia gateways, the
discovery of one or more communication devices 132, 134, 136 and
138 and the communication of the content and/or of the information
about the content, based on the received content sharing service
profiles.
Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory
computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a
non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium,
having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program
having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a
computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform
the steps as described herein for providing content remotely via
one or more IP multimedia residential gateways.
Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,
software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present
invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one
computer system or in a distributed fashion where different
elements may be spread across several interconnected computer
systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for
carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical
combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose
computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and
executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the
methods described herein.
The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program
product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
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